Author
Topic: Noob from NM (Read 1301 times)

Hi,My name is Bill. I live in southern New Mexico, and I have recently aquired the addiction that is Flashlights. Before I found this forum , I was reading up on lights over on Reddit.

I'm an auto mechanic, and I use a flashlight dozens of times a day. It may be on for 20 seconds at a time, or 20 minutes. I carry my light in a belt holster 90+% of the time. Where I live is a pretty rural area with no municipal lighting, and have had to go searching heavy brush for a missing dog. That incident a couple of years ago is what made me start my quest for for a better light, as I found out that searching down in brush covered ditches for a possibly injured dog, at night, with an under-powered light, well, it just sucked. BTW, yes, we found her tangled in the brush at the bottom of a 30 foot ditch.

I am always on the hunt for THE light. Like many before me, I was suckered into the Atomic Beam, G700, and their myriad of clones. They were all reasonably bright, while they worked, but I am tired of buying crappy lights. I am here to research what light will be my next purchase. After I've done more research, I'll post about what I have , what I like, and what I want.

At this point in time , the two main lights that I am considering are the Thrunite TC12 V2 and the Nextorch PA5. The problems are:1) The Thrunite isn't a zoomie.2) The Nextorch is a bit pricier than I wanted. I was hoping to keep it under $50. I am willing to spend the $65 for it, but I can't find any reviews for it other than the one review on nextorch.com. One review? That's concerning.

Hello Bill, welcome to the forum. I live in the country & it does gets very dark near new moons. Is the light you seek for every day carry?

If so I recommend something that can produce 1000+ lumens & uses an 18650 battery.

I like the Thrunite TC12 V2.

I currently carry a Thorfire 15S everyday. So far it is holding up, but is a lower end light selling for under $25. I like the way the mode selection works, no strobe & it comes back on at the same lumens where it was turned off. It can use a flattop battery. I use mine like you, it is on & off dozens of times during my shift, that is my concern, the switch will give out. For the price I can keep a back up. No big deal if it gets lost or destroyed in a drop. I use a holster too.

For search & rescue I am using GiareBeam LED Flashlight 5X CREE XM-L T6 6000 Lumens. I actually have two of those too. Very impressed by the lumen to $$ ratio. Its cost was under $50. I also keep a spare sets of 18650 batteries.

There are some very impressive headlights now too for cheep, with the added bonus that both hands are free.

Thanks for that. I am wanting to use an 18650, as i probably have a dozen or so from various failed lights. The two that you suggested are both heaflamps, but I really am looking for a handheld unit. I have my wants & needs written up, but felt it rude to post it prior to doing my part of the research . Eventually I may go to a headlamp, but I am not there yet.In answer to your question , yes, it's for EDC as well as work.

Well, I decided to go a little different direction. I opted to order a Thrunite Neutron 2C V3. I received it last Friday. Several things that are new for me. It's my first side switch. It's my first 18650 cell light that's not a zoomie, its my first Neutral White light, and it's the first time for me to spend this kind of money on a light. I'm still trying to get used to the side switch . We'll see .